Canadian Medal Count Grows

Canada's men's eight rowing team members hold their silver medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games, on August 1, 2012. Back row from left to right: Douglas Csima; Conlin McCabe; Malcolm Howard; Andrew Byrnes and Jeremiah Brown. Front row: Gabriel Bergen; Rob Gibson; Brian Price and Will Crothers.

The 2012 Canadian Olympic Team’s medal count grew by two medals in London Wednesday, for a total of six (1 silver, 5 bronze).

Credit: Mike Ridewood

After missing the final in Beijing, Brent Hayden of Mission B.C. stepped up Wednesday night to find the podium in the 100m freestyle swimming final in a time of 47.80. The result marks a best-ever Olympic performance for Canada and the country’s sixth medal of the London 2012 Games.

“The best day of my life feels like the worst day of my life right now,” said Hayden. “I had the urge to kiss the starting block. I never knew I could love Lane 7 so much. I think tonight it was about just digging down deep, right into my soul. Emotionally and spiritually I had that extra push to get me beyond … it was all about finding my inner strength.”

The men’s eight rowing crew is back on the podium. The defending gold-medallist boat turned in an incredible performance Wednesday and captured a silver medal for Canada, fifth of the Games for Canada and first silver.

A late push through the last 500m put them in the silver spot, in a time of 5:49.98. Germany took gold with a time of 5:48.75, while Great Britain took bronze with a time of 5:51.18.

"The start was really clean and quick, and I just remember staying really internal and in our own boat,” said Robert Gibson. “The Germans are the cream of the crop and we didn't want to get phased by their speed. We did everything."

"An unreal race, we were so stoked,” said Doug Csima. “We executed our plan exactly and it was a great feeling rowing through the British in the last 250 metres. We're happy."